Girls Swim Night Out proves trip to the pool has value to many

Hannah Brown reaches for a marker during the social hour following Girls Swim Night Out at John Glenn Middle School in Maplewood on Friday, November 15, 2013. (Photo courtesy Kaitlyn Hausker)

Editor's note: Some versions of the story had the wrong date for the next Girls Swim Night Out at John Glenn Middle School in Maplewood. It's Friday, Dec. 6.

When Barb Bellinger taught first grade at Skyview Elementary in Oakdale, she invited herself to dinner at students' homes so she could learn more about them.

At one home, she discovered that many Muslim females are discouraged from swimming in a mixed-gender environment.

"I had dinner with a Muslim student's family, and some of the kids were talking about going swimming," she said. "But some of the girls said they could not go."

That's when Bellinger -- who was Mrs. Asmussen at the time -- saw an opportunity to help an underserved community.

Bellinger went to Pat Svendsen, a community educator in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district, to see if a swim program could be created specifically for women and girls.

The result was Girls Swim Night Out, which was recognized this fall by the Minnesota Community Education Association as a program that's collaborative, innovative and of benefit to community members. Now in its second full year, the program has served more than 250 women and girls.

For Bellinger and Svendsen -- both of whom have retired from the district -- participation by women from various backgrounds has been the best part.

"We've had Muslim groups, United Pentecostal groups and other groups who don't necessarily have cultural restrictions but just want to go swimming," Bellinger said.

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"It's exciting to watch these groups of people come together who might not have otherwise."

The event is held at John Glenn Middle School in Maplewood, chosen among the district's three pools because it is the most private, with just one small window that can easily be covered.

Funding for the program has come from the Educational Equity Alliance, which is a collaboration of the North St. Paul and Mahtomedi school districts.

Ayanna Farrell, coordinator of integration for the alliance, said the program qualifies for funding because it's an integrated learning environment and removes barriers that might prevent people from participating.

One of the features of the program is water safety, taught by Svendsen.

"In Minnesota, to have any segment of the population who doesn't know how to swim is a real safety issue," Svendsen said.

Hamdi Shabele, who lives in Oakdale, took her daughter and three friends to the John Glenn pool on a recent Friday night.

For Salugla Shabele, Hamdi's 11-year-old daughter, the best part was having something special just for girls.

"I like that I don't have to put my hijab on my soaking wet hair right away," she said.

Salugla's friend, Shahrazad Abdiaziz, also 11, agreed.

"My brothers beg my mom to be able to come," she said.

Brooklyn Hofstad can be reached at 651-228-5472.

IF YOU GO

What: Girls Swim Night Out

When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. occasional Fridays, followed by a 45-minute social gathering. The next dates are Dec. 6 and Jan. 17.

Where: John Glenn Middle School, 1560 E. County Road B, Maplewood

Suggested donation: $3 for adults and $2 for children, or $6 for a family of three or more. Childcare is available.